California bans meat of downer pigs, cattle

Californian Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has this week signed a bill
prohibiting the purchase, sale and processing of meat from downer livestock,
including cattle and swine.

Downer animals are live animals that are too weak to walk. Federal law allows
the slaughter of downer animals after they are checked out by a veterinarian and
deemed 'ambulatory'.

The new bill imposes fines and jail time for
processors that sell meat from downer animals.

MessageSchwarzenegger said, "We are strengthening
California's food safety laws and sending a message that violating these laws
will not be tolerated."

The bill was set up after a recall of 65 million
kg of beef produced by a Californian meat company. This all happened after
animal welfare activists had presented a video showing workers abusing downer
cows.